United Utilities to embark on multi-million-pound wastewater schemes across the North West

United Utilities is set to embark on the first wave of its multi-million-pound upgrades to wastewater treatment sites across the North West.

£218 million will be invested in schemes in Lancaster, Southport, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Dukinfield, Hyde and Warrington. The upgrades will be delivered through United Utilities’ new Enterprise delivery model, which brings together seven design and construction partners, plus United Utilities, into one integrated team.

The schemes will improve water quality in the local watercourses and bathing waters by reducing the number of times storm overflows operate and treating wastewater to even higher standards.

The schemes include:

• £103 million across Tameside: At Dukinfield wastewater treatment works (WwTW), new technology will be installed to ensure that the treated wastewater that is returned to the environment will be improved to reduce phosphorus and ammonia levels.  The project will also reduce the number of storm overflow operations at the site . Projects at Ashton-Under-Lyne and Hyde WwTW will also see new technology installed at the sites to improve the quality of the treated wastewater. The investment will help improve water quality in the River Tame and its tributaries of Denton Book and Swineshaw Brook.
• £50 million at Southport WwTW: The upgrade will increase stormwater storage at the site and play a key role in enhancing water quality along the Sefton Coast by reducing the number of times that storm overflows operate in heavy rain. The project will be split into two phases, with the first focusing constructing and commissioning a 4,500m³ of stormwater storage to help reduce storm overflows and improve bathing water quality – the equivalent of just under 2.5 Olympic sized swimming pools, or 30,000 bathtubs.
• £48 million to upgrade Lancaster WwTW and improve water quality in Morecambe Bay: The upgrade will increase stormwater storage at the site and play a key role in enhancing water quality in the nearby River Lune and Morecambe Bay by reducing the number of times that storm overflows operate in heavy rain.
• £17 million at Warrington South WwTW to improve water quality in the Manchester Ship Canal in line with new environmental targets: Warrington South is set to become one of the first sites in the UK to integrate MOB (Mobile Organic Biofilm) technology into an existing live works. MOB is a way of treating wastewater using tiny surfaces where bacteria grow. As water flows through, the bacteria help clean it by breaking down pollutants.

Chris Borradaile, Wastewater Services Director for United Utilities, said: “Over the next five years, we are embarking on the largest investment in wastewater infrastructure for a century in the North West.

“Our teams right across the region are working hard to make the improvements that people want to see benefit their local rivers, watercourses, and bathing waters.

“We are proud that our plan will deliver a huge boost to customers and communities across the North West, supporting 30,000 jobs and creating an estimated £35 billion of economic value for the region.”

Tony Slater, Enterprise Director, said: “These projects are a great example of what United Utilities’ Enterprise model is all about – smarter delivery, greener solutions and better outcomes for communities. These upgrades will cut pollution, protect local rivers, and help us deliver long-term value for customers.”